History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

638 SIXTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. 1864
departed from their camp late in March, 1864, and proceeded direct to Philadelphia. At the expiration of the thirty days' furlough, they again rendezvoused in the city, and proceeded to Washington. Here they received orders to
proceed by transport to Belle Plain, at that time the base of supply of the army,
and report to General Abercrombie. For a week after its arrival, it was retained here and was employed in various duties. At the expiration of that
time, Colonel Staunton was ordered to go to Fredericksburg and report to Colonel Shriver. A few days after his arrival, the latter turned over the command
of the post to him, with instructions to proceed as soon as the sick and wounded
had been removed, to Port Royal, the new base of supply. Here Colonel Staunton was placed in command of a regiment of cavalry and a battery, in addition to his own, and directed to proceed with it without delay to White House,
which had again become the base of the army. He arrived early in June, and
the Sixty-seventh was retained by General Abercrombie for duty at this post.
The wagon train of General Sheridan, who was at this time on a raid
upon Lynchburg, which culminated at Trevilian Station, was lying at White
House. The only troops here previous to the arrival of Colonel Statmton's
command, was a small force of dismounted cavalry, a regiment of the Invalid
Corps, and a small regiment of colored troops. A little after daybreak on the
morning of the 13th, the enemy approached under cover of a dense fog and
drove in the pickets. It was at first supposed to be only a small raiding party,
but as the fog lifted, it was discovered that his cavalry in large force was in
front. At eight A. M., he opened with several pieces of artillery. The train,
which had been held in readiness to move, was transferred under a severe fire
to the north bank of the Pamunkey. The Sixty-seventh, that for twenty-four
hours had been on picket duty, was at once deployed as skirmishers. The
enemy kept up a fire of artillery during the entire day, but did not attempt an
assault. On the following morning, Sherid-an arrived with his command, and
the enemy was compelled to retire.
On the morning of the 15th the train was put in motion, the command of
General Getty, including the Sixty-seventh, acting as escort, and was taken
safely through to the James River. While on the march, the command had a
slight skirmish with rebel cavalry near Charles City Court House. The casualties of the regiment in its entire operations from Belle Plain to the James were
slight. UIpon its arrival Colonel Staunton was ordered with his command to
join his brigade then lying near the Yellow House, in front of Petersburg.
The enlisted men who, upon the departure of the veterans on furlough, had
been transferred to the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth, were here returned to
their places in the ranks of the Sixty-seventh.
On the 23d of June the Sixth Corps made a, descent upon Ream's Station,
a point on the Weldon Railroad, and destroyed the buildings at the station and
a considerable portion of the track. The road was at this time one of the
main lines of supply for the rebel army, ant it was well known that the enemy
would not allow it to be disturbed or pass out of his grasp without a struggle.
Though moving with secrecy and celerity the advance of the corps was quickly
discovered, and the enemy in heavy force attacked; but was repulsed and
beaten back.
On the morning of the 6th of July, the Third Division was ordered to move
quietly to City Point, where upon its arrival it embarked upon transports and
proceeded to Baltimore, the rebel General Early, with a formidable force having